Just got around to reading some of your blog. Had to spray some WD40 on old parts in my brain I haven't used in a while. Glad you take the time to write it.
If you ever get a moment for a question, I have pondered something for a while and you may be able to shed some light on it. When I read, "Our results also suggests that the immune system is under selection in cattle." It reminded me of it.
It is apparent that highland cattle are much more resistant to pneumonia causing pathogens than other breeds of cattle. Have you ran across any information suggesting this is this simply due to anatomical differences, for example something like they have a larger lung volume to body ratio vs other breeds, etc... or is there any known evidence that they have a more aggressive or competent immune system defense. If it is the later, I've always thought that they may hold a key to decreasing millions of dollars of losses in the cattle industry.